July 25th, 2008 - You Show Me Yours, Then I'll Show You Mine ...Radio Stuff That Is!
Notes Posted By Sheila Clarke on July 26th, 2008
The Vienna Wireless Society
Friday, July 25, 2008
Shaken by our President Jim W4JTP at 7:36 pm on this hot and humid summer’s night, our lethargic turkey gobbler slowly gobbled our meeting to order (which sounded a lot like the melody of “Summertime” by the Gershwin brothers).
ATTENDANCE: 35
NEW VISITORS:
Hap O’Brien KJ4BWP
NEW HAMS or UPGRADES:
During our round of introductions, Ione Quinn announced that this past weekend she took the Technician’s test (in Laurel, MD) and passed. She then proudly announced her new call sign KJ4FHL. Big congratulations to Ione!
ANNOUNCEMENTS:
1. Sheila KI4WKY, our Secretary, once again announced that this year’s banquet would be held on August 21 – a Thursday! So, there will be no Friday meeting. The location is the Marco Polo Restaurant on Maple Avenue, in Vienna, VA. The time is 7:00 pm. Each member can bring as many guests as they wish. The cost is $26 per person, half-price for kids under 18 yrs. old and children under 5 eat free. This is an all-you-can-eat buffet consisting of prime rib, chicken, several salads, veggies, breads, dessert, etc. The $26 per person includes the cost of the meal, plus restaurant tax, the tip and drinks. You are to give your money to our President Jim, W4JTP or mail in your money and reservations since our Treasurer is vacationing in New Hampshire and Vermont right now.
Sheila also said that this year would be a lot of fun. She’s giving out some great door prizes, except for one. One prize is going to be a boobie prize! To win the prizes, we will be having a drawing of call signs (members only). And, then everyone can (voluntary) join in the fun and play Ham Radio Bingo. So, don’t forget to bring a pen to write with!
Sheila needs to contact the Marco Polo Restaurant at least 10 days prior to give them a head count. So, please sign-up ASAP! Everything that she said can also be found on our Website’s front page in the NEWS section.
2. Jim, our President W4JTP announced the following:
(a) He reminded everyone that next weekend is the Berryville Hamfest on Sunday, August 3. All information can be found at this website: http://www.svarc.us/hamfest/
(b) The summer NAQP CW operation that is normally on August 2, is lacking leadership and so apparently there won’t be any event this year.
However, after the snack break, Pete K6BFA announced that him and Dave K2VX will run it. Where, when, etc. isn’t figured out yet. But, he had a sign-up clipboard for anyone who was also interested besides him and Dave to work 1-2 hour shifts. Otherwise it will be Pete and Dave only. So, between now and next Saturday they will come up with a plan for the NAQP CW event. If you’re interested too, please contact one of them for more information by next week.
3. Mike K3MT gave an open thank-you to the club for the birthday card he recently received.
4. Mike AE4R then announced that Kurt WA4SMI recently celebrated his 60th birthday also.
He also reminded everyone of his Home Brew building contest and to think of this when they’re cruising around the Berryville Hamfest looking at parts and equipment next weekend.
5. Gary KI4EKM then announced that he is organizing a carpool out to the Berryville Hamfest. Anyone interested is to contact him.
PRESENTATION:
President Jim W4JTP then led our Show n’ Tell in which we had a variety of Ham Radio items shown to us by the following members:
John KA4YMA showed us an estimated 30 year old direction calculator for call signs.
Kerry WA4BQM presented an isolator for sound card lines. He also announced an upcoming club project for digital interface (computer to radio).
Byron W4SSY brought a 1970’s Lafayette HA750 with a 6 meter transceiver that uses 8-10 C Batteries. This has been described as “one of the world’s worst rigs.” He also brought a 4-man Variac that runs on light bulbs. And, then a letter from the ARRL stating that an article he submitted about our spud guns will be published.
Jim WI4A brought a Kenwood HT along with an article in QST for an antenna helper that cost $139. Jim fuddled with 2 feet of wire and created one himself and showed that.
Charlie KI4AZU showed us his soldering iron with homemade tips.
Tim KI4PVF presented an article that appeared in the June issue of “The Economist” magazine that talked about the emerging popularity of short-wave listening in Zimbabwe.
Gary KI4EKM brought a 60-year-old power supply for a “Super Pro” receiver, which was used by listening stations during WWII. Restoring it is still an on-going activity.
Mike AE4R showed everyone a box that was an electro-mechanical audio filter circa 1950. He said that this reproduces a CW signal and nothing else!
Lee KD4RE described a Phase-a-tron tube used in early FM transmitters.
Jim W4JTP brought two QSL cards that were the results of contacts he made while on vacation a couple of weeks ago in the Outer Banks, NC. One was from New Zealand and one was from Fiji Island.
REFRESHMENTS:
Steve N5SK once again kept us refreshed with drinks and also provided us with a great variety of snacks.
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